Source: http://www.emproduxions.net/images/worlds_collide.jpg

One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes was when George’s worlds were colliding. I don’t remember much about it but it involved George going crazy over the fact that two spheres of his existence were about to occupy the same space…and it was terrifying him! An explanation of this is online:

There are two Georges: Independent George and Relationship George. Independent George is the one that spends time with Jerry, Elaine, and Kramer. Relationship George is the one that has to spend time with his wife. Since Elaine has invited George’s wife into the circle of friends, George can not get away from his relationship duties and become independent. This ruins the life of Independent George.

This came to mind as I read this quote tweeted by Skydiver:

Transparency will soon disolve all profiles, both professional and personal, into one “you.”

And the follow-up question is, Will you still be employable? That follow-up comes to mind due to a radio commentary I heard on the way up to Austin from San Antonio on how employers are looking at your online MySpace/Facebook profiles to see what they can find out about you. Although that information isn’t new, it sparked another thought–you need to be consistent in your beliefs and what you’re saying ALL the time.

You can’t just slap a new coat of paint, different color, on your ideas…in the end, you always say what you’re really about (that’s a Ecclesiasticus (sp?) or Book of Sirach quote I think). . .and there certainly wasn’t any social media 2.0 back in Biblical times…just small town living, I guess!

It’s no different than Meatball Sundae‘s (Seth Godin’s book) opening premise…you have to change the underlying structure before you engage social media, otherwise it is a facade. What are the implications for our students? Keep them quiet until they develop that internal structure, that inherent awareness that the audience is listening, commenting, looking in, or perhaps, encourage them to be transparent in positive ways?

But…we’d have to do that consciously in schools, and at home…not just turn them loose to be transparent with technology and hope they came out alright.

Subscribe to Around the Corner-MGuhlin.net